Funding Concerns in DBT Biocare Programme

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• Almost five months after being selected for the DBT Biocare programme, none of the 75 chosen candidates has received the funds promised or salaries.

About

• The DBT, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), has been running the Biocare programme since 2011. 
• It is mainly meant for the career development of unemployed female scientists, for whom it will be the first extramural research funding sanctioned by the government.
• A doctoral woman researcher selected under the programme is eligible for a ₹60 lakh grant for three years. This includes a salary component of ₹75,000 a month.
• From 2020 to 2024, on average annually, nearly 50 women scientists have been beneficiaries of the programme.
• This year, 75 women scientists were chosen; however, in the absence of the required sanction letters or funds, they were unable to commence their research.

R&D Expenditure in India

• India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP remained between 0.6% to 0.7% which is below the global average and lower than countries like China, South Korea and the US. 
• Another factor contributing to this is the relatively low investment by India’s private sector in GERD, accounting for only around 36%, whereas in the aforementioned countries, private sector contributions are more than 70%.

Need for Funding in R&D

• Economic Growth: Drives new industries, improves productivity, and enhances global competitiveness.
• Technological Advancement: Facilitates breakthroughs in fields like AI, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
• Social Challenges: Helps address poverty, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability issues.
• Job Creation: Innovation generates employment opportunities and stimulates entrepreneurship.
• Global Positioning: Positions India as a global leader in science, technology, and knowledge.
• Attracts Investment: Promotes foreign and domestic investments in research-driven sectors.

Implications of Low Funding

• Investment Concerns: Limited investment in research and development, especially in public institutions.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate research facilities and resources in many institutions.
• Brain Drain: Loss of talent to other countries due to better opportunities abroad.
• Lack of Industry Collaboration: Limited partnerships between academia and industry for practical innovation.
• Skill Gaps: Insufficient training and development of skilled researchers and innovators.

Government Initiatives

• Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme: Approved with a ₹1 lakh crore corpus, this scheme aims to energise private-sector R&D and deep-tech startups.
  • It offers long-term, low- or zero-interest loans, equity investments, and funds a new Deep-Tech Fund of Funds via the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• National Quantum Mission: Allocated ₹6,003.65 crore for 2023–31, to advance quantum technologies through scientific and industrial R&D.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): To foster innovation at the grassroots level by providing support to students, startups, and entrepreneurs. 
• The National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds will focus on strengthening the research ecosystem and developing high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient seeds, aligning with DBT’s efforts in agricultural biotechnology.
• National Manufacturing Mission (NMM): Aligned with the government’s ‘BioE3 Policy’ for fostering high-performance biomanufacturing, the NMM announced in the Budget aims to accelerate technology development and commercialisation. 
• The Seaweed Mission and Learn & Earn Program empower women entrepreneurs, supporting economic inclusion. 

Way Forward

• To raise R&D spending, there is a need to have increased partnerships with the private sector. 
• Efforts are being made to create better synergies between industry, research labs, and educational institutions to broaden both research activity and the funds to support it.

Source: TH